Sofa-bed.



H. D. BARTLETT.

SOFA BED. APPLICATION TILED JAN.2B,1914.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

W/fn ess es HARRY 03F GIiIUAGQ- ILLINOIS, AS$IGNOH 3T0 PUI IIMAN COUCH 081%- .I', OF SHIGAGO, ILLINOIS, A GQRPOEJhTION F ILLINOIfi SOFA-BED.

Specification or 'Eiejtters Fetent.

Application filed January 28, MM. Serial No. 814,917.

T 0 aZZ vi /20 m it may concern Be it known that l, HARRY D Berliners,

ed relation while being unfolded'or folded with respect to the remainin-gsection 'or sections. Beds of this character have been made in difierent Ways, usually with the bed portion pivoted directly to the front of the sofa frame, or carried by a rotat'ably mount-.-

ed hollow seat frame having a seat member for the sofav formed directly u-pon'or carried by one side. and having the feed portion pivotsllv wnnected to and carried by the reverse side the bed in either case being extensible transversely oil? tie sofa and being' foldshle one section over another in the some direction for storage under the seat member when the bed is not in use.

The main objects of this invention are to provi on improved form of fastening coming one or more of the sections in fo ded relation during the folding of th 'iinmg sections; to provide an 1mproved to; .9 of lizn'idlc on the foot section adapted 'lor dv no n no Concealment normally and for to position when required of said section; to proi g neans operstnble dis and mlsptecl to secure oeeedfolded position sf I s? d foot is mid to pro mg latch elevat on of a sofa lied 110 removed to Jim sent member and op- .issmisted tln'erewith. F lg.

2 1S :1 similar view showing the bed in its alt ed to be f folded position and with the seat frame ready for turning to its upright, 01' normal sofaposition. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the foot and middle sections of the bed illustrating the first stage of the unfolding operation with the foot section. locked in'spaced folded relation upon the middle section and disposed in an upright position. Fig. 4 is a side view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating the next stage of unfolding, the middle seo- .tlon'being in its hed positlon and the foot section being folded thereupon. This view also shows in dotted lines the sncceedin vertical position assumed'hy the foot section as it swinp's outward. Fig. 5 is as brokenplan view or a portion of the bed bottom when extended, and shows the relative position of the log fold n and section locking members on one side of the bed. 'Fig. 6 is a perspective' view of the combined handle and loclring nemhers.

In. the "construction shown in the drewings, the sofa bed comprises the usual housing or frame 1 having ends 2 and back 3 in combination. with a rotary seat frame d operatively mounted between and supported by the ends 2. This seat frame on one side is adapted to serve as a seat 5" and the reverse side is formed as hollow frame li o-tented fin r. 1914i.

adapted and arranged to support the bed sections pivotally attached thereto for unfolding when the seat frame 4-is turned to its inverted position, as shown in Fig. 2. The connection of the sezitframe 4- to the sofev frame '1 may comprise any-of the means well known in. the art. as plates 6 and 7.

The lied bottom or frame 12 comprises three wide major sections 14. 15 and 16' and. two narrow n'iinor sections 17 and 18 suitably hinged together, as by rule joints, in

nate position. These sections are adeptlded together upon the under side i and within the seat frame 4-, with the three major sections lying substantially in horizontal position and with. the minor sections vertically disposed the vopposite edges thereof.

Bed supporting brackets 19 are secured'to the ends of the seat. framesadjacent. to

that edge of the seat frame which men front when in the bed position. l'he outer and upper ends of these brackets are formed and adapted, as at 20, to receive the pivot members 21 secured to the sides of the narrow bedsection 17 intermediate of the ends there-- in its horilsontal position within the seat frame with the shifting ol the narrow section 17 to and from its horizontal position respectively, by means of plates located rearwardly of the brackets and adjacent to the ends ofthe seat frame 4. Each plate 22 is formed with a reaiwvardly inclined ."Eorward surface 23 on which slide the studs or shoulders 24; secured to the section ll. each of which surfaces 23 terminates at its upper end in a horizontal. surface '25 on which the studs 24: rest when the section ll is shifted to its elevated or bed position, and at its lower end termii'iates in a socket 'Ztl which coacts witlritsrespective stud 24 for securing the section 14; in its lowered position.

The foot minor section 18 and the foot major section it are hinged together, and the former is hinged to the middle major section 1.5. (.l'lOllt-idli and 18 are adapted to be extended in horizontal alinement, or to be folded with secti n 15 upon the seat frame with the foot section 16 between the sections let and 15. The head and middle ma.- ior sections may be of substantially the same lenojh but the foot section 16 is somewhat shorter so that it may be folded between the longer sections. the dillercnce in length being substantially equal to the thicknes of the mattress and usual bedding (not shown). The short sections 17 and 18 are also of different lengths. the dili'erence being a little 1'1'101'6 than the thickness of the mattress and bedding.

The outwardly disposed sections are sup ported in their bed position by means of legs 29 and 30 pivoted at 31 and 32 to the outer ends of sections 15 and 16 respectively. These legs are'automatically controlled by means of links 33 and respectively as will be understood. The short "toot section 18 is braced by a. rod 35 connected at its ends to the medial portions of the sides. preferably at the pivotal connection of the links 34.

Improved means are provided for securing the foot section '16 upon the adjacent major section said means cornprisinn' a combined latch and handle member 3b pivoted to the outer end adapted to swing oi the footsection and freely In parallel with the section tolding in folded relation mosses movement through its range of operationf the, planes of movement all being transverse of the hinges, and in tliisdiistaneepiarallel with the length of the bed. The said latch and handle member comprises an axi l portion 37 adapted for pivotal sup orter-n8 ends upon the sides of section 16 and a pair of parallel latch portions 3S'disposecl trans versely'tliereto, the axial portion also having a handle part 39 disposed laterallyfrom the axis, and at an angle from saidlitcli'portions, said angle being preferably about 90 degrees, or somewhat greater. This member 36 is adapted to be held normally by gravity with the handle portion 39 projecting downward and the latch portion horizontally when the bed is unfolded, and is also adapted to turn when the onter section' 16 is folded upon the inner section 15 so that the latch portions will project downward for engagement with the sides of section 15 to secure said sections locked together, and with said handle part disposed horizontally upon the bed spring 40. The handle portion is relatively heavy and acts by gravityto plom inate the swinging of the member 36.

The middle section 15 is provided on its sides with enacting means adapted for lock ing engagement with the latch members 38, said means on each side comprising a stud or shoulder -11 fixed on said inner section and a resilient yielding member 42 also secured thereto adjacent to said stud for urging the adjacent latch into engagement therewith and yieldably holding the same in engagement.

The free or downwardly facing end of each latch is broad and formed with a V- shaped notch between two divergent arms 45 and 46 adapted to guide the latch and the coacting stud into engagement. At the inner end of the notch a catch shoulder or hook 48 is provided on one of the arms lo adapted to engage the stud 41 to prevent separation. The spring 42 operates to-urge the latch hook 48 into engagement with the stud 41. The tip of the hook 48 inclines somewhat toward the pivot so that when locked the expansive pressure of the bedding tends to prevent disengagement of the stud therefrom independently of spring 42.

The operation follows; The seat sofa position and the bed sections are then unfolded to the position shown in Fig. 4-. The latch handle is then rasped and raised from the bed spring, there y disengaging the latches from the middle section, said handle being usedalso if desired. foot section into its bed position. whereupon tion beneath the foot section. and the latch members being swung thereby to a horizonfor swingmg the llt) for unfolding the bed is as f frame inverted from its ascents tal position parallel with the sidesot the foot sec n.

'l he .ioiding operation is as follows: The depending handle 39 may be grasped and swung to proj rearwardly from under the foot section, whereby it serves as convenient means for lifting said section for 11g it upon the middle section. As the i 1 section swings downward into place the said handle is swung back toward the operator and downward to rest upon the bed spring, and the latch members swing to a downwardly projecting position and into coaction with the fastening means on the mid die section, whereby said sections are secured in spaced folded relation. it orelierred, the foot section may be lifted by grasping the toot rail instead of the handle, in which case gravitv will cause the latch and handle member to rotate to bring the latches into their operative downward position for engaging the middle section, as above indicated. When the latches are thus engaged the foot and middle sections may be swung as a unit to fold upon the head sect-ion, whereupon the seat frame is turned to its normal sofa position.

i ilthough but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described. it will be understood that numerous details or" the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In. a device of the class described, a plurality of bed sections adapted to fold together, in combination with a handle pivoted to the outer end of the outermost section and adapted to be swung bv gravity beneath said station when the bed is unfolded and to be swung outwardly manually to serve as a section iting handle for mani ulating the having a latch member o engage an inner section when he said outer section is folded thereupon.

in a device of. the class described, a pluot'bed sections adapted to fold tocombination with a medially disiicsed handle pivoted to the outer end oi the outermost section and adapted to be swung by gravity beneath said section when the bed is unfolded and to be swung outward manually to serve as a handle for manipulating the bed, said handle having latch members carried thereby and secured rigidly thereto one at each end thereof and adaptel to engage the sides of an inner section'when the said outer section is folded thereupon, said latch members being disengageable bv lifting on-said handle in unfolding the bed.

a device or the class described, a

. :y of bed sections"adapted to fold toi-or turning therewith and gether, and a combined latch and handle member or unitary character pivoted to the outer section for swinging freely in parallel with the folding movement through its range of operation, said latch and handle member being formed at an angle and adapted normally to be held by gravity with the handle portion projecting downward and the latch portion horizontally when the bed is unfolded and to turn upon said outer section by gravity when the same is folded upon an inner section that the latch member will project downward for engagement with said inner section to secure said sections locked together and with the handle member disnosed horizontally upon said outer section.

l. in a device of the class described, a plurality of bed sections having a bed spring carried thereby and adapted to fold together, and a combined latch and handle member of unitary character pivoted to the outer secti'on for swinging freely in'parallel with the folding movement through its range of operation, said latch and handle member comprising an axial portion adapted for pivotal support at its ends upon the sides of said outer section, and a pair of parallel latch portions disposed transversely thereto, the axial portion also having a handle part laterally disp sed from the axis thereof at an angle not. said latch portions, said latch and handle parts being adapted normally to be held by gravity with the handle portion projecting downward and the latch portion horizontally when the bed is unfolded and to turn when said outer section is folded upon an inner section so that the latch portions will project downward for engagement with the sides of said inner section to secure said sections locked together and with said handle part disposed horizontally upon the bed spring.

5. In a device of the class described, a

I combined latch and handle member of unitary character comprising air-axial portion formed and adapted for pivotal support at points spaced apart and including a handle disposed at one side of the axis between the bearing points, and a pair of latch portions spaced apart and carried by opposite ends of said axial portion adjacent to the bearing points and disposed in a plane at an angle from said handle, said handle beingrelatively heavy with respect to the latchportions and being adapted'for actuation by gravity to swing downward and hold the latch portions substantially horizontal.

6. In a device of the class described, a plurality of bed sections adapted to fold together, in combination with a latch pivoted to the outermost section, and means on an inner section adapted for lockingengage rhent with said latch member, said meant. comprising a stud fixed on said inner sec tion and an resiliantlyieldmg member sgacured ignedms @hicagwthis 26th; day. 05% J mmto sand 11mm sec-hon fidliICGHtl t0 szud stud My 1914. Y

but spaced therefrom to receive the latch l v k g t-hevebetwcen, said: member being adapt'ed HARRY BARTLLFL for urging the latch inf/u engagement. Wm; Witnesses:

said stiw and-vieldably holding be. same in F14ED-IVL. DA?IS, engagement. M; IRENE HUTGHINGS. 

